The Value of Life

By now you've heard the story of the lifeguard who was fired for saving the life of a man outside of his assigned zone.  After he was fired, four fellow lifeguards walked off the job on principle.  One of them asked how it could be wrong to save a life.

Before you say that is the most ridicules thing you've ever heard, wait for the explanation of the company.  A spokesperson stated that they faced liabilities if they went outside of their contracted area.  The company was not willing to accept that risk.  Let's think about this.  I save the life of someone in an area I am not paid to protect.  What are the odds that the victim or family will sue because their loved one lived?  Even if someone did feel that way, would they be willing to stand up in court and say that?  "Your Honor, I wanted him to die so I could collect the life insurance.  This lifeguard had no right to save him.  He should have stayed in his zone and let my husband die."  Think about the ride home.  "Now Honey, don't take what I said in court today personally.  I just wanted to get the money.  How about we go away for the weekend to celebrate?  Maybe to that place up in the mountains away from everyone?"   If this man is dumb enough to go away with her after she says that, he deserves to die.

Now let's look at the worst case scenario.  Maybe the family does sue.  Maybe the victim sues because he was trying to commit suicide.  Is the threat of a lawsuit more important than the life of a human being?  Have we become so litigated-conscious that we are willing to watch a person die to avoid the possibility of a lawsuit?  Does a human life have so little meaning that we won't put ourselves out to save one.  Do we not value life anymore? 

What is the value of a life?  What is the value of your child's life?  What is the value of your life?

PS.  The lifeguard was offered his job back but turned it down stating he didn't want to work for a company whose rules were more important than a life.  Way to go, buddy.

Interesting, Sad Day

My husband and I went into town today.  For efficiency we stopped by the grocery store--big mistake.  It was crawling with people.  Because of my injured knee, I sat down at the front of the store while my husband checked out at the register.  I noticed the young mother behind him.  She was with an older, handicapped woman and several small children.  All were clothed in attire that had long ago seen its prime.  It was obvious that they were of low economic status. 

My husband completed our purchases and we walked outside.  He asked me to wait on the sidewalk and let him bring the car to me so I wouldn't have to walk so far.  As he went to get the car, the same young mother came out of the store with her basket of groceries and her children.  The oldest was about 10 years old, the youngest about 10 months old.  She walked to an old station-wagon-type jalopy and opened the rear door to load the groceries in the car.  The car was parked in the first parking space closest to the main driving lane that runs in front of the store.

Every mother knows that this young mother must now load her groceries and children in the car--not an easy task.  I watched as she positioned the grocery basket close to the car.  Then I heard her yell, "I'm going to beat your a_ _.  Hold your sister."  I then saw the 10 year old reach out and take the baby in his arms.  She was heavy and he set her down on the pavement.  We are in Texas.  It is hot here.  This baby was put down barefoot on hot pavement.  The mother did not see this because she was leaning into the back of the car.  When she raised up, I could see that she had leaned in to light her cigarette.  Then she placed the groceries in the car and proceeded to put the children in through the passenger doors.  The older woman came out of the store and said something that I did not hear.  I heard the young mother say, "Why don't you mind your own damn business?" 

Think about the sequence of events here. 

• She yelled an obscene threat to one child.
• Handed her baby to that child--in a high traffic lane.
• Lit her cigarette.
• Loaded the groceries in the car.
• Placed the children in the car.
• Yelled an obscenity to an older woman--presumably her mother.
• Got in the car on the passenger side.

What were her priorities?  Not her children's safety.  Not respect for an elder.  She first lit a cigarette.  She took time to take care of her own needs (or rather vice) before seeing to the safety of her children.  As I watched I couldn't help but pray for her.  I said, "Lord, please touch this mother's heart." 

People who put themselves first do so because they are unable to love others.  They need the love of God to show them how.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” to love themselves and others.  John 13:34-35.

 

 

 

Catching Up

Well I've been MIA for a while and can't guarantee it won't happen again.  Let me bring you up to date.  I hurt my knee January 5 and have been in pain since that date.  The MRI revealed that both cartlidges of my right knee were torn.  The inside one had torn completely away and fallen down and forward so that it was in a wierd position.  The same MRI revealed that my knee was completely eaten up with arthritis.  The surgeon told me we would need to repair the cartlidges immediately, but I would need knee replacement soon.  He explained several times that I would not be completely pain free but the pain would be less than before the surgery. 

In March I had the orthroscopic procedure done and the pain was better--for a while.  Slowly it intensified and my gait became more and more awkward.  The doctor would not consider surgery until my three month evaluation.  The week before my appointment, my husband had a regularly scheduled appointment with the same surgeon, who treats him for chronic back ailments.  The doctor walked into the room and my husband said, "I am fine, but we need to talk about my wife."  He went on to explain that I had an appointment the following week and something needed to be done immediately.  The doctor wrote an order for X-rays to be done before my appointment and brought with me when I came.  If you have had much experience with doctors, you know this is almost unheard of.  The X-rays showed that my right knee is bone-on-bone.  Every step is excruciating because the two bones are rocking on each other.  The doctor said completely knee replacement was necessary.

Meanwhile, my daughter's wedding had been scheduled for two weeks from that appointment--no time for surgery.  We also had to be moved from our house six days after the wedding and I had committed to teach VBS beginning the day after the wedding.  My schedule has looked like this:
May 2--Husband retired.
May 11--Begin negotiations on metal building for husband's shop.
June 7--X-rays taken.
June 8--Doctor's appointment.
June 12--Problems with metal building factory begin.
June 15--Problems with metal building factory explained.  Most of the problem was my misunderstanding of the contract.  We worked the problems out and our building was again on track.
June 18--Engineered drawing of building was sent to us.  It was incorrected and we needed to make modifications.
June 19--Addendum to contract for building sent to us.
June 22--Phone call from supervisor of metal building to see why we hadn't sent the addendum back to them.  I explained that our daughter was getting married and we would take care of it the following week.  He understood and wished us well.
June 23--Daughter's wedding.  (I did the cakes and hor devours.)
June 24--Begin VBS and fax addendum to metal building factory.
June 28--Complete VBS.
June30--Be moved from house.

As you can see, I have been very busy and my energy has been zapped.  There were days I would think about writing my blog, but didn't have the strength.  We are now moved, although our house looks like Sanford and Son.  I am resting and my knee replacement surgery is scheduled.  I will try to keep you up to date as much as possible.  Please know this--If I am absent for a while, I have not left you.  Just spending my energy on more pressing, yet less pleasant matters.  Please pray for my recovery--both mentally and physically.  Surely my life is going to slow down soon.

When I am going through something like this, I think of the saying--God never gives us more than we can handle--and I think God has a whole lot more confidence in me than I do.